1 Peter 5:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When the Chief Shepherd appears, faithful elders will receive an unfading crown of glory.
What Does 1 Peter 5:4 Mean?
Peter lifts the elders' eyes to the One they serve under. They are shepherds, but there is a Chief Shepherd, Christ himself, who will one day appear. Every undershepherd answers to him.
For those who have tended the flock faithfully, his appearing brings reward: a crown of glory that never fades. The crowns of this world wilt like the flowers Peter spoke of earlier, but this one is imperishable. The shepherds who served willingly and without seeking gain will find their true reward not in this life but in the unfading glory the Chief Shepherd brings. Their faithful, often unseen labor is treasured and will be crowned.
1 Peter 5:4 in the Original Language
archipoimen (ἀρχιποίμην), 'chief Shepherd' -- the head shepherd over all others, Christ over his undershepherds.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Peter 5:4
What does 1 Peter 5:4 mean?
When the Chief Shepherd appears, faithful elders will receive an unfading crown of glory.